Media were banned from attending Thursday’s hearing, but Australian consular officials and her mother Lisa Evans were present throughout.

Sainsbury initially faced 30 years in jail after she was intercepted by authorities and arrested at El Dorado International Airport in April, where she was allegedly carrying 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside her suitcase.

The former gym owner, whose family claimed she was in Colombia on a working holiday, was preparing to board a flight to London on her way back to Australia when she was arrested.

Colombian police said the drugs were divided into 18 plastic bags and hidden inside boxes of headphones, which she claimed were bought as gifts for her bridal party guests.